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WasteForce Crime Alert #7 June- Aug 2020
The WasteForce project is funded by the European Union’s Internal Security Fund — Police (ISFP/2017/AG/ENV/821345)
Date: 31 Aug 2020
Version: 1
Work Package 2: Strategies and Methodologies
Deliverable 2.1: Waste Crime Alerts
Waste Crime Alert WasteForce
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WASTEFORCE
Waste Crime Alert 7
Disclaimer
The information and content of this report is the sole responsibility of the WasteForce Consortium
members and does not necessarily represent the views expressed by the European Commission or its
services. The information contained in the Waste Crime Alert is taken from public sources, the author(s)
or any other participant in the WasteForce consortium make no warranty of any kind with regard to this
material.
Waste Crime Alert WasteForce
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Contents 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Summary of new publications and legislative and governance updates. (Annex I) ........................ 3
3. Analysis of news cases (Annex II) ................................................................................................... 5
1. Types of waste and routes .......................................................................................................... 6
2. Quantities and values .................................................................................................................. 6
3. Modus operandi ........................................................................................................................... 7
4. Criminal organisations ................................................................................................................. 7
5. Summary of IGO Enforcement action, see also the overview in Annex III ................................. 8
6. Summary of media, see also the overview in Annex IV .............................................................. 8
Annex I: Publications and Legislative/Policy Updates ............................................................................. 9
Legislation and Governance ................................................................................................................ 9
News Articles ..................................................................................................................................... 10
Studies/Reports ................................................................................................................................. 13
Inspection summary .......................................................................................................................... 15
Annex II: Cases reported in the news ................................................................................................... 17
Annex III: IGO Enforcement Actions ..................................................................................................... 28
Annex IV: Videos and documentaries ................................................................................................... 29
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1. Introduction
The objective of the Waste Crime Alerts is to provide authorities with an up-to-date overview
of developments in the illicit waste trade. The Waste Force project partners collected and
analysed the latest information on waste crime to identify trends and possible threats of illegal
waste trade, for example to certain geographic locations/routes and the identification of modus
operandi for specific waste flows. The collected open source information includes news cases,
enforcement agency bulletins, outcomes of court cases, relevant publications, policy updates
and relevant videos and documentaries. The Waste Crime Alert will be published by the
WasteForce project every three months.
This Waste Crime Alert #7 summarises information that was published between June and
August 2020. The waste crime alerts report primarily on transboundary waste crime cases.
The Waste Crime Alert is structured as follows:
1. Introduction
2. Summary of Publications and Legislative updates, see also the overview in Annex I
3. Analysis of News cases published, see also the overview in Annex II
4. Summary of IGO Enforcement actions, see also the overview in Annex III
5. Summary of Media, see also the overview in Annex IV
2. Summary of new publications and legislative and governance updates. (Annex I)
In this section a summary will be presented of recent publications, sources of each publication
can also be found in Annex I.
With regards to updates in legislation and governance, the Basel Action Network published an
article about the proposed Delegated Regulation of the EU regarding the new trade controls
on unrecyclable waste. While the European Union joined Norway in co-sponsoring
amendments to establish new trade controls on dirty and unrecyclable waste, the draft
regulation does not intent to fully apply the new trade controls in the EU market. Greenberg
Traurig reported that the European Commission has opened a consultation on the adaptation
of amendments to the European Union’s law on transboundary shipments of waste. The Basel
Action Network also published an article about proposed changes in regulation in New
Zealand. The ministry is proposing to meet the Basel Convention requirements and include
“mixed plastic waste” in its “Import and Exports Order” permitting system. The Convention, in
effect from January 2021, requires that most “mixed plastic” waste exports would require prior
informed consent from the receiving countries.
Finally, the Environmental Protection Department of Hong Kong has opened a page with
Frequently asked questions about import and export of waste to/from Hong Kong.
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In Annex I an overview can be found of ten news articles about issues related to plastic waste
pollution and illegal trade. According to the Basel Action Network, India and other countries
have been hit with the inflow of plastic scrap since the Ban of China. The inflow of plastic in
Turkey has also reached its highest level in 2019 with on average a monthly import quantity of
48,500 tons. According to The Intercept the plastics waste crisis is effecting some of the
poorest individuals in developing countries, where there are no government-funded waste
collection or recycling systems. For example in Kenya plastic waste is causing massive human
rights and child labour problems. The Intercept also posted an article about how plastic waste
is making Central American Communities uninhabitable. The Korea Times posted an article
stating concern about the increased use of single-plastics since the spread of COVID-19, that
could end up in the oceans. The Document Journal posted an article about the issues with
plastic processing in Vietnam. And finally, The Print also published an article reporting about
the concern that action on plastic pollution has been slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic,
but also that there is a new emerging angle to address this pollution and enable a transition to
a greener and more circular economy.
To comply with the new Chinese legislation, the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
stopped accepting shipments of recovered plastics, fiber, metals and chemicals headed for
China and Hong Kong from June 2020. Also the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd said
it will stop accepting cargoes of solid waste, including scrap metal, bound for China from 1
September 2020 onwards to comply with new legislation.
Annex I of this WCA also includes links to four new reports and scientific articles. In July 2020
the Global E-waste Monitor was published by UNU-ViE SCYCLE, ITU and ISWA. The Global
E-waste Monitor 2020 provides the most comprehensive overview of the global e-waste
challenge, explains how it fits into international efforts to reach the Sustainable Development
Goals, and discusses how to create a sustainable society and circular economy.
A new INTERPOL strategic report on global plastic waste management has found an alarming
increase in illegal plastic pollution trade across the world since 2018. The report indicates that
there has been a considerable increase over the past two years in illegal waste shipments,
primarily rerouted to South-East Asia via multiple transit countries to camouflage the origin of
the waste shipment. Other key findings include an increase in illegal waste fire and landfills in
Europe and Asia, a significant rise in the use of counterfeit documents and fraudulent waste
registrations, with case studies from each of the contributing countries illustrating the extent
and complexity of the problem. Based on open sources and criminal intelligence from 40
countries, the report provides a comprehensive global picture of emerging trafficking routes
and crime threats in the plastic waste market, and recommends tailored enforcement
responses.
Ecoprog published a study about plastic recycling in Europe is an analysis of plastics recycling
in Europe, including of 1200 sorting plants and 1,000 plastic recycling plants.
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There are also two scientific publications included, one about conceptualising transnational
organised crime at sea, including waste crime and the other is a revised article about the
transboundary hazardous waste movements after the Basel Convention.
Finally, the Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia for the Environment and Spatial Planning
published two summaries of join inspections in Slovenia in June and July.
3. Analysis of news cases (Annex II)
This section presents an analysis of the news cases of transboundary waste movements
between June 2020 and August 2020. In total, 15 cases were collected, of which an overview
can also be found in Annex II.
Figure 2: Global map with the listed news cases, the colours are linked to the origin or
destination country
For more information follow this Link.
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1. Types of waste and routes
Types of waste
reported
Routes and case numbers
Plastic United Kingdom > Latvia (case 5)
Europe (UK, Italy, Germany, France) > Turkey (case 9)
Metal Romania > Indonesia (case 6)
Netherlands (case 7)
Ozone Depleting
Substances (HFCs)
China > Poland (case 1)
E-waste Canary Islands Spain > several countries in Africa (case 4)
Tyres Croatia > Italy> Africa (case 10)
Mixed waste and other China (case 3)
Belgium > France (case 8)
Slovenia > Italy (case 11)
Hazardous waste Italy > Bulgaria (case 2)
Spain > Africa (case 9)
Romania > Malaysia > Indonesia (case 10)
The Netherlands > Belgium (case 12)
Italy (case 13 and 14)
Spain (case 15)
Table 1: Overview of types of waste and routes reported in the news cases
2. Quantities and values
The following quantities and values were reported for illegal trade flows:
• Refrigerants: illegal export from China to Poland of 14 tonnes, involving 1150 cylinders.
• Plastic: illegal export from the United Kingdom to Latvia of 549 tonnes of plastic and rubber waste.
• Tyres: illegal export from Croatia via Italy to countries in Africa of 13,2 tonnes of tyres Hazardous waste including metals:
• Illegal shipments (138) from the Canary Islands to Africa containing 2500 tons of hazardous waste, of which 750 tons of e-waste.
• Illegal export from Romania to Indonesia of 110 containers of hazardous heavy metals including 1,864 tonnes of electric arc furnace dust (EAFD)
Other waste:
• Illegal export from Belgium to France of at least 780 tonnes of rubber and household waste.
• Illegal export from Slovenia to Italy of 20 tonnes of non-hazardous waste.
• The seizure of 598,800 tonnes of different types of illicit waste imported in China from different countries.
In total 5,740 tonnes of waste was illegally shipped plus a summary of seizures in China of 598,000 tonnes.
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3. Modus operandi
Types of modus operandi reported for the illegal export were:
• Export without a correct permit;
• Unreported export, smuggling;
• False declaration (e.g. EAFD declared as concentrated zinc);
• Waste declared as second-hand goods (electrical and electronic equipment, this was
sourced from waste bins and on the street and shipped as used equipment);
Illegal storage and management:
• Lack of a permit to manage plastic and rubber waste;
• Lack of compliance with the permit;
• Illegal disposal;
Other organized illicit activities including illicit competition, threat and violent acts, attempted
murder and illicit possession of firearms;
4. Criminal organisations
In six of the cases the (suspected) involvement of organised crime groups was reported. In
case 2, two brothers who owned a recycling business were linked to a list of names of media
bosses and entrepreneurs who were assassinated in the 1990s. Sums running into millions of
dollars were entered against some of the names. These brothers were working under demand
of a deputy minister that authorised the illegal trafficking of waste. In case 3, the operation
“Blue Sky 2020” led to the capture of 80 criminal suspects in 38 smuggling syndicates. In case
4 and 8, there is suspected involvement of an organised crime group. In case 13 there was
involvement of a criminal group composed by entrepreneurs, lawyers and professionals in the
nautical sector. Finally, in case 14 there was also involvement of organized crime (Sicilian
mafia) and of public officers working in the waste collection/treatment municipal company.
In two other cases the involvement of recycling companies was reported. In case 5 a recycling
company illegally imported waste and in case 7 a recycling company is suspected to be
involved in other criminal activities including money laundering, forgery, possession of stolen
property, and various environmental crimes.
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5. Summary of IGO Enforcement action, see also the overview in Annex III
The joint RETROVIRUS operation was coordinated by EUROPOL in cooperation with the
EnviCrimeNet network. Operation RETROVIRUS aims to prevent "inappropriate" / illegal
collection, transport, management and management of sanitary waste (contrary to
international, EU and national legislation and international conventions) for activities against
the spread and treatment of the COVID epidemic 19. In Annex III a link can be found for more
information.
As part of the operation RETROVIRUS more than 500 inspections were conducted in Spain
by the Guardia Civil, and 184 infractions have been reported with regard to irregularities in the
management, transport and disposal of medical waste mainly related to the Covid pandemic.
These infractions are both dangerous for the pollution of the ecosystem and for the possible
transmission of the virus (see also case 15 in Annex II).
6. Summary of media, see also the overview in Annex IV
In Annex IV a link can be found to a video about an investigation by BBC news into plastic
waste that is sent from Britain to Turkey for recycling, but is instead being dumped and
burned on the side of roads. There is also a second link to a video about unauthorized
landfills in France, where Belgian waste is dumped illegally.
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Annex I: Publications and Legislative/Policy Updates Legislation and Governance
Title EU Promotes Greater Global Responsibility on Plastic Waste - But Not
for Internal Market!
Organisation Basel Action Network
Type of waste Plastic
Date 6-7-2020
Summary In April of last year, the European Union joined Norway in co-sponsoring
amendments to the world's only waste treaty to establish new trade controls
on the dirtiest and most unrecyclable plastic wastes. However, last week, the
European Commission made it official in their publication of the proposed
Delegated Regulation that the EU does not intend to fully apply these new
trade controls themselves between their own member states. The draft
regulation would allow some plastic wastes to instead be freely traded in the
EU market without the newly agreed controls. These plastics have recently
been regulated under the Basel Convention's Annex II due to the difficulty in
recycling them, and the risks they pose to human health and the environment
particularly when they are burnt. They include a wide set of mixed plastic
wastes, PVC and PTFE (Teflon) wastes, as well as all manner of plastic
waste not destined for mechanical recycling.
Links https://www.ban.org/news/2020/5/21/regulation-could-clean-up-new-
zealands-exports-of-contaminated-recycling-to-developing-countries
Title Regulation could clean up New Zealand's exports of contaminated
recycling to developing countries
Organisation Basel Action Network
Type of waste Plastic
Date 21-5-2020
Summary The Ministry is proposing changes to its Imports and Exports Order to meet Basel Convention requirements, and include "mixed plastic waste" in New Zealand's permitting system. The convention, in effect from January 2021, means most "mixed plastic" waste exports would require prior consent from the receiving countries, a Ministry for the Environment spokeswoman said. Currently, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is only required to issue permits for exports of "hazardous" plastic waste, or plastic waste mixed with other waste. Environmental anthropologist Dr Trisia Farrell said "We need to make sure that there's clear limits for the contamination of our waste shipped offshore."
Link https://www.ban.org/news/2020/5/21/regulation-could-clean-up-new-
zealands-exports-of-contaminated-recycling-to-developing-countries
Title EU Opens Consultation on Rules for Transboundary Plastic Waste
Shipments
Organisation GreenbergTraurig
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Type of waste Plastic waste
Date 2-7-2020
Summary The European Commission has opened a consultation on the adoption of
amendments (currently available in draft form) to the European Union’s law
on the transboundary shipments of waste. These amendments are intended
to allow the EU to give effect to recent changes to the Basel Convention on
the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their
Disposal (the Convention) which significantly extend the Convention’s scope
in relation to plastic waste.
Link https://www.gtlaw.com/en/insights/2020/7/eu-opens-consultation-on-rules-
for-transboundary-plastic-waste-shipments
Title Guidelines & References - Control on Import and Export of Waste
Organisation Environmental Protection Department Hong Kong
Type of waste Hazardous waste
Date 14-7-2020
Summary Frequently asked questions about import and export of waste to/from Hong
Kong
Link https://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/waste/guide_ref/guide
_wiec_faq.html
News Articles
Title Millions against rubbish
Organisation KfW
Type of waste Plastic
Date 22-1-2019
Summary How can the plastic pollution of our oceans be stopped? A multimillion dollar
waste project financed by KfW in Indonesia shows that the battle against
marine litter must also be fought on land. At the moment, EUR 75 million is
available for the construction of landfills with sorting and composting facilities
in Jambi, Sidoarjo, Jombang and Malang. A further EUR 7.6 million will be
used to ensure that municipalities are ready to operate these facilities in a
sustainable way, to organise proper waste collection and to convince the
population of the importance of "the three R's" – reduce, reuse and recycle.
Link https://www.kfw.de/stories/environment/nature-conservation/solid-waste-
management-indonesia/
Title Is India Becoming America’s Trash Bin for Illegal Plastic Waste? Organisation
Basel Action Network
Type of waste Plastic Date 30-1-2020 Summary Since China banned the import of containers carrying scrap paper, plastics
and metals for recycling and reuse, other countries have been hit with the
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inflow of plastic scrap. While Indonesia promised to send back illegal plastic waste to the origin countries, BAN found out it was illegally converted to countries like India, Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam. The waste was categorised as paper scrap when, in reality, it comprised of plastic and other hazardous materials
Link https://www.ban.org/news/2020/1/30/is-india-becoming-americas-trash-bin-for-illegal-plastic-waste
Title
Plastic waste sent from EU to Turkey increased by almost 200 times
Organisation Basel Action Network
Type of waste Plastic
Date 27-6-2020
Summary The amount of plastic waste sent from European Union countries to be processed in Turkey increased 173-fold since 2004, news website Diken reported on Friday. This means that Turkey is receiving an average of 213 trucks of plastic waste from the EU every day. Turkey’s plastic waste imports reached their highest ever level in 2019, at an average monthly quantity of 48,500 tons, Diken reported. The highest plastic waste exporters to Turkey last year were Britain (153,967 tons), Italy (89,470), Belgium (85,843), Germany (67,466), and France (56,824).
Link https://www.ban.org/news/2020/6/29/plastic-waste-sent-from-eu-to-turkey-
increased-by-almost-200-times
Title
Shipping giant stops e-plastic exports to Hong Kong
Type of waste Plastic, metal Organisation Basel Action Network Date 18-6-2020 Summary Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) this month stopped accepting
shipments of recovered plastics, fiber, metals and chemicals headed for China and Hong Kong "complying with recently updated Chinese legislation". The company issued a notice to customers outlining the change, which took effect June 1.
Link https://www.ban.org/news/2020/6/18/shipping-giant-stops-e-plastic-exports-to-hong-kong
Title
Africa's exploding plastic nightmare
Type of waste Plastic Organisation The Intercept Date 19-4-2020 Summary While the plastics crisis has largely played out on the administrative level in
the U.S., burdening local governments with the growing costs and logistics of managing plastic garbage, in developing countries that have no government-funded waste collection or recycling systems, those burdens fall on individuals. In Kenya, where some 18 million people live on less than $1.90 per day, the responsibility offloaded by some of the most profitable companies in the world falls to some of the poorest individuals in the world. And Kenya is just one of dozens of developing countries where plastic is causing massive human rights and child labor problems, in addition to
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environmental devastation. Wealthy countries fail to recycle the vast majority of their plastics.
Link https://theintercept.com/2020/04/19/africa-plastic-waste-kenya-ethiopia/ Title
River of trash
Type of waste Plastic Organisation The Intercept Date 27-10-2019 Summary The article is about how plastic pollution is making Central American
Communities uninhabitable. Link https://theintercept.com/2019/10/27/plastic-pollution-guatemala/
Title Plastic pollution plagues Southeast Asia amid Covid-19 lockdowns
Organisation The Korea Times
Type of waste Plastic
Date 10-8-2020
Summary With consumers around the world stuck at home amid the spread of Covid-
19 ― which has infected close to 19 million people and killed more than
700,000 ― the utilisation of single-use plastic has skyrocketed, raising
concerns about recycling and surging pollution. Many people are reliant on
food delivery services and online shopping platforms to obtain goods and
stay connected, with a corresponding increase in disposable packaging.
Southeast Asia is no different. More than 50 per cent of the eight million
tonnes of plastic waste that ends up in the world's oceans every year comes
from Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand, environmental
advocacy group Ocean Conservancy estimates ― partly because richer
Western countries such as Australia, Canada, Britain and the United States
have sent massive shipments of waste to these countries for decades.
Link https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/world/2020/08/501_294157.html
Title The pandemic built new trade barriers that hurt plastic pollution
Organisation The Print
Type of waste Plastic waste
Date 1-8-2020
Summary Action on plastic pollution has been slowed considerably during the COVID-
19 pandemic – but there’s a new emerging angle that could help rebuild
momentum for the transition to a greener and more circular society.
Governments at the World Trade Organization (WTO) are also showing
increased interest in tackling plastics pollution. Cross-border frictions prevent
economies of scale in tackling plastic pollution. Governments must
collaborate to scale the circular economy at a global level. The article gives
a different recommendations related to traceability, data, border measures,
internal measures and transparency.
Link https://theprint.in/features/the-pandemic-built-new-trade-barriers-that-hurt-
plastic-pollution/472610/
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Title Vietnam’s “plastic village” is the tale of Western excess
Organisation Document Journal
Type of waste Plastic
Date 7-8-2020
Summary In July 2018, the Vietnamese government announced it would curb the legal
and illegal importation of plastic after waste shipments to the country surged
following China’s ban of several types of solid waste earlier in the year.
Vietnam Customs reported that the country imported 9.2 million tons of scrap
material in 2018, a 14 percent increase since 2017. The Ministry of Natural
Resources and the Environment cited environmental concerns as the
impetus for the policy change. As plastic processing becomes more lucrative
than farming, many people travel to Minh Khai to work long hours in factories
or workshops. These workers and nearby residents are exposed to hundreds
of chemicals— including hydrochloric acid, sulphur dioxide, and heavy
metals—which can lead to developmental disorders, endocrine disruption,
and cancer.
Link https://www.documentjournal.com/2020/08/vietnams-plastic-village-is-the-
tale-of-western-excess/
Title Hapag-Lloyd to halt waste shipments to China
Organisation Business Insider
Type of waste Solid waste
Date 26-6-2020
Summary German container shipping line Hapag-Lloyd said it had notified customers it
will stop accepting cargoes of solid waste, including scrap metal, bound for
China that arrive from Sept. 1 onwards to comply with new legislation.
Link https://www.businessinsider.com/hapag-lloyd-to-halt-waste-shipments-to-
china-2020-6
Studies/Reports
Title Plastics recycling in Europe Type of waste Plastic Organisation ecoprog GmbH Date July-2020 Summary The study “Plastics recycling in Europe” includes: "A detailed analysis of all
the important political, economic, operational and technical trends in European plastics recycling."; " The description and analysis of over 1,200 sorting plants and over 1,000 plastics recycling plants (by site), including significant key data on operators, input and capacities (wherever possible)."; "A detailed assessment of this data as well as an analysis of the legislation and the market factors at country level (30 European countries). This also includes capacities and market shares of sorting and recycling by country."; "Background about the planning boom for chemical recycling plants in Europe and an overview of more than 30 chemical recycling projects.".
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Link https://www.ecoprog.com/fileadmin/user_upload/leseproben/extract_plastics_recycling_europe_ecoprog.pdf
Title Strategic Analysis Report: Emerging criminal trends in the global plastic waste market since January 2018
Type of waste Plastic Organisation INTERPOL Date 27-08-2020 Summary A new INTERPOL strategic report on global plastic waste management has
found an alarming increase in illegal plastic pollution trade across the world since 2018. The report, entitled INTERPOL’s strategical analysis on emerging criminal trends in the global plastic waste market since January 2018, indicates that there has been a considerable increase over the past two years in illegal waste shipments, primarily rerouted to South-East Asia via multiple transit countries to camouflage the origin of the waste shipment. Other key findings include an increase in illegal waste fire and landfills in Europe and Asia, a significant rise in the use of counterfeit documents and fraudulent waste registrations, with case studies from each of the contributing countries illustrating the extent and complexity of the problem. Based on open sources and criminal intelligence from 40 countries, the report provides a comprehensive global picture of emerging trafficking routes and crime threats in the plastic waste market, and recommends tailored enforcement responses. The report points to the link between crime networks and legitimate pollution management businesses which are used as a cover for illegal operations, with criminals often resorting to financial crime and document forgery to carry out their global operations.
Link https://www.interpol.int/News-and-Events/News/2020/INTERPOL-report-alerts-to-sharp-rise-in-plastic-waste-crime https://www.interpol.int/content/download/15587/file/INTERPOL%20Report%20_criminal%20trends-plastic%20waste.pdf
Global E-waste monitor 2020
Type of waste E-waste Organisation UNU-VIE SCYCLE, ITU, ISWA Date July-2020 Summary The Global E-waste Monitor 2020 provides the most comprehensive
overview of the global e-waste challenge, explains how it fits into international efforts to reach the Sustainable Development Goals, and discusses how to create a sustainable society and circular economy. The report provides a national and regional analysis on e-waste quantities and legislative instruments, and makes predictions until 2030. It also encourages decision-makers to increase activities to measure and monitor e-waste using an internationally recognised methodological framework.
Link https://publications.globalewaste.org/v1/file/271/The-Global-E-waste-Monitor-2020-Quantities-flows-and-the-circular-economy-potential.pdf
Title Blue crime: Conceptualising transnational organised crime at sea (Academic article with restricted access)
Type of waste All types Organisation Marine Policy, Christian Bueger and Timothy Edmunds
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Date 29-6-2020 Summary Academic article about conceptualising transnational organised crime at sea,
including illegal shipments of waste. Link https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308597X20300270
?via%3Dihub
Title Trade for the Environment: Transboundary Hazardous Waste Movements After the Basel Convention (Academic article with open access)
Type of waste Hazardous waste Organisation Review of Policy Research, Shiming Yang Date 06-03-2019, revised 27-07-2020 Summary Current literature emphasizes North–South conflict under the Basel
Convention as a main reason for these shortcomings. This paper returns to the fundamental question as to why countries engage in this trade. It contends that hazardous wastes are not only characterized by their environmental impacts, but are also distinct in the ways they are generated, distributed, and managed. I argue that global economic integration has commodified these wastes, and countries are increasingly diverging on their views of hazardous materials. [...] As globalization deepens, management of hazardous wastes may require extensive trade of hazardous materials between countries of varying capabilities and interests. Contrary to its current trade minimization approach based on a crude North–South dichotomy, the Basel Convention may benefit from an approach that motivates capable countries to import wastes and one that builds capacity for intended waste importers.
Link https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3386820
Inspection summary
Title Control actions to prevent the negligent management of medical waste, in order to prevent the spread of COVID 19 virus and other diseases
Type of waste Medical waste Organisation Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia for the Environment and Spatial
Planning Date 28-7-2020 Summary Summary of joint inspections in Slovenia, realised in July. The main focus of
inspections was prevention of negligent management of sanitary waste, in order to prevent the spread of COVID 19 virus and other diseases
Link https://www.gov.si/novice/2020-07-28-akcije-nadzora-za-preprecevanje-malomarnega-ravnanja-s-sanitarnimi-odpadki-z-namenom-preprecitve-sirjenja-virusa-covid-19-in-drugih-bolezni/
Title Control actions for cross-border shipments of waste in June. Type of waste Medical waste Organisation Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia for the Environment and Spatial
Planning Date 27-7-2020 Summary Summary of joint inspections in Slovenia, realised in June. The focus of the
controls was on the prevention of environmental crime directly related to the
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COVID-19 epidemic, with an emphasis on the prevention of illegal handling and transport of sanitary waste. The way waste is collected, transported, treated and ultimately disposed of is crucial to curbing the spread of the epidemic.
Link https://www.gov.si/novice/2020-07-02-akcije-nadzora-cezmejnega-posiljanja-odpadkov-v-mesecu-juniju/
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Annex II: Cases reported in the news Case 1. China- Poland
Title Customs seize 14 tonnes of illegal HFC in Rotterdam Date 3-7-2020 Type of waste HFCs: shipment included R410A, R32 and R404A. Quantity/Value It involved 1,150 cylinders, all of them illegal non-refillables, 14 tonnes. Routes The shipment coming from China was initially discharged in the port of
Hamburg and declared in transit towards Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, despite the fact that the final destination was Lithuania. Further investigations established that the cargo was destined for a storage facility in Poland.
Type of crimes/ Modus Operandi
Illegal export and illegal storage.
Enforcement Action
The successful seizure is said to have been the result of close cooperation between the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and authorities in the Netherlands, Lithuania and Poland.
Criminal organisation
Unreported
Summary The European Anti-Fraud Office’s crackdown on the illegal trade in HFCs has led to the seizure of 14 tonnes of illegal refrigerants at the port of Rotterdam. It has not been revealed the exact refrigerants seized but photographs indicate the shipment included R410A, R32 and R404A. It involved 1,150 cylinders, all of them illegal non-refillable. OLAF’s investigation began when it identified a suspicious cargo destined for a consignee in Lithuania that was not registered to receive imports of this nature. In addition, the shipment coming from China was initially discharged in the port of Hamburg and declared in transit towards Rotterdam, in the Netherlands, despite the fact that the final destination was Lithuania. Further investigations established that the cargo was destined for a storage facility in Poland.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.coolingpost.com/world-news/customs-seize-14-tonnes-of-illegal-hfc-in-rotterdam/
Case 2. Italy - Bulgaria Title Bulgarian minister charged over illegal waste imports from Italy Date 31-5-2020 Type of waste Dangerous waste such as batteries, lead and polyethylene. Quantity/Value Quantities are not reported for the burning, but in the past 157 containers
were sent back from Sofia to Italy Routes Italy to Bulgaria Type of crimes/ Modus Operandi
The imported waste was not recycled but illegally burnt.
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Enforcement Action
Bulgaria’s deputy environment minister Krassimir Zhivkov has been arrested and charged for his alleged role in illegally importing harmful waste from Italy and burning it. Also the business men the Bobokovi brothers have been arrested. Bobokovi brothers were detained for 24 hours and will most likely be charged with participation in an organized crime group and tax crimes.
Criminal organisation
Italian and Bulgarian authorities had been investigating two Bulgarian brothers operating in their countries. They own a recycling business. During a raid on Friday on the home of the businessmen in the Bulgarian town of Rousse, the police found a list of names of media bosses and entrepreneurs who were assassinated in the 1990s. Sums running into millions of dollars were entered against some of the names. “Deputy minister Krassimir Zhivkov pressured his subordinates to authorise the illegal trafficking of waste” from Italy.
Summary Bulgaria’s deputy environment minister Krassimir Zhivkov has been arrested and charged for his alleged role in illegally importing harmful waste from Italy and burning it, prosecutors said Saturday. Italian and Bulgarian authorities had been investigating two Bulgarian brothers operating in their countries. They own a recycling business and deal with dangerous waste such as batteries, lead and polyethylene. “Deputy minister Krassimir Zhivkov pressured his subordinates to authorise the illegal trafficking of waste” from Italy, prosecutor Dolka Brezashka said, asking for him to be held in custody.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.macaubusiness.com/bulgarian-minister-charged-over-illegal-waste-imports-from-italy/ https://www.novinite.com/articles/204679/Development%3A+More+Arrested+for+Illegal+Import+of+Waste+from+Italy?fbclid=IwAR16_IQa1I3ngfh9ajv9geJp-ZDBH7YAMyvOSCMhCJPHwVP3tFw8h5kNzek https://www.ban.org/news/2020/5/29/development-more-arrested-for-illegal-import-of-waste-from-italy
Case 3. - China Title China uncovers over 500k tonnes of illegal waste in latest crackdown Date 19-6-2020 Type of waste Different types of illicit waste including waste oil and slag Quantity/Value The seizure of 598,800 tonnes of illicit imported waste. The GAC also
announced that Chinese imports of solid waste are down 42.5 per cent year-on-year, totalling 3,225,000 tonnes between January and May of this year. Solid waste smuggling cases have also seen a decrease of 58.1 per cent year-on-year, with the GAC handling 81 criminal cases despite the disruption caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Routes Unreported Type of crimes/ Modus Operandi
Smuggling
Enforcement Action
The 'Blue Sky' initiative was first launched in a 2018 campaign, which cracked down on illegal imports of 24 grades of waste banned earlier that year. This followed in the vein of previous campaigns including 2013's Operation Green Fence and 2017's National Sword Campaign. On Wednesday (17 June), China's General Administration of Customs (GAC)
Waste Crime Alert WasteForce
19
announced that the Guangdong Sub-Administration and 12 participating Customs Districts had successfully busted 38 smuggling syndicates.
Criminal organisation
The capture of 80 criminal suspects in 38 smuggling syndicates
Summary Chinese customs authorities have intercepted over 500,000 tonnes of illegal waste under the ‘Blue Sky 2020’ anti-smuggling campaign and plan to continue the crackdown on illicit domestic and foreign waste imports.
For more information, please visit:
https://resource.co/article/china-uncovers-over-500k-tonnes-illegal-waste-latest-crackdown
Case 4. Canary Islands Spain- countries in Africa Title 2 500 tonnes of waste trafficked from the Canary Island to Africa Date 29-6-2020 Type of waste Second-hand items, such as vehicle parts, household goods, and a huge
amount of electrical waste and electronic equipment. Quantity/Value 2 500 tonnes of waste trafficked from the Canary Island to Africa Routes The Canary Islands, Spain to countries in Africa Type of crimes/ Modus Operandi
The criminals loaded maritime containers with second-hand items, such as vehicle parts, household goods, and a huge amount of electrical waste and electronic equipment. The investigation carried out by the Spanish officers concluded that the unwanted electronics were shipped to several countries in Africa to be sold on to buyers there. The items sold were all obsolete and were not fit for use as the criminal network had primarily sourced the equipment from rubbish bins and on the street.
Enforcement Action
An organised crime group has been dismantled by the Spanish Civil Guard SEPRONA, with the support of Europol and the Italian Carabinieri.
Criminal organisation
An organised crime group. Those arrested are also suspected of document fraud to carry out their illegal activities.
Summary 750 000 kg of electrical waste and electronic equipment was among the waste seized by the Spanish Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) after a two-year investigation.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.europol.europa.eu/newsroom/news/2-500-tonnes-of-waste-trafficked-canary-islands-to-africa
Case 5. United Kingdom - Latvia Title Latvia to repatriate ‘illegal’ UK waste Date 26-6-2020 Type of waste Plastic and rubber Quantity/Value 549 tonnes of waste Routes United Kingdom to Latvia and repatriation back to the United Kingdom. Type of crimes/ Modus Operandi
Why Recycle imported the waste from the UK. They does have a valid permit for storing or temporarily sorting municipal waste, but not to manage the plastic and rubber waste, according to the Latvian regulator. It has also been claimed by the VVD that the cargo’s accompanying documents provide incorrect information, namely, “a poorly sorted mixture of municipal
Waste Crime Alert WasteForce
20
waste is assigned to plastic waste”. The VVD also claimed that the company had not complied with the conditions of the issued polluting activity permit, as it had improperly managed the waste. The company was reported to have stored municipal waste in an unauthorised place, which the VVD said created a “danger to the surrounding environment by polluting and littering”. According to the Latvian authorities, waste can only be imported to Latvia to recovery facilities that have “adequate capacity” and a permit for the recovery of the waste, and shipments of non-classified waste can only take place subject to prior written notification and consent.
Enforcement Action
The Latvian Environment Service, known as VVD, said it carried out an inspection on “possible illegal transboundary waste shipments” and has “started to take measures” to repatriate the waste. They are working with the Latvian authorities to investigate the circumstances around these particular exports, and will take appropriate action to hold those responsible to account should there be any evidence of wrong-doing – and to ensure any illegally exported waste is repatriated to the UK.”
Criminal organisation
A Latvian materials recycling company, Why Recycle, imported the waste from “various companies in Great Britain” between 25 May to 16 June 2020.
Summary The Environment Agency is working with its counterpart in Latvia into an investigation into possible illegal waste exports from the UK. State Environment Service for Latvia has indicated it will repatriate 549 tonnes of waste “imported from Great Britain”.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/latest-news/latvia-to-repatriate-illegal-uk-waste/ https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/environment/illegal-waste-imports-into-latvia-stopped.a364327/
Case 6. Romania – Indonesia (via Malaysia) Title Malaysia uncovers largest abandoned shipment of illegal toxic waste
from Romania Date 19-7-2020 Type of waste Hazardous heavy metals: lectric arc furnace dust (EAFD) - a by-product of
steel production that contains heavy metals like zinc, cadmium and lead. Quantity/Value 110 containers of hazardous heavy metals: 1,864 tonnes of electric arc
furnace dust (EAFD). Routes The containers were found abandoned at the Tanjung Pelepas port in
Malaysia, they originated from Romania and were bound for Indonesia. Type of crimes/ Modus Operandi
The EAFD, classified as a toxic waste under the Basel Convention, had been listed as concentrated zinc in declaration forms. “The Department of Environment, as the Basel Convention authority (for Malaysia), has not granted approval for or received notifications from the waste exporter to transit in Malaysia,” he said.
Enforcement Action
Malaysia has contacted the Romanian Basel Convention authority to arrange for the repatriation of the containers and have engaged Interpol for further investigations, Bernama said.
Criminal organisation
Unreported.
Summary Malaysia discovered 110 containers of hazardous heavy metals from Romania and bound for Indonesia that had illegally entered the country and
Waste Crime Alert WasteForce
21
were abandoned last month, its largest case of dumped toxic waste, state media Bernama reported on Sunday.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-environment/malaysia-uncovers-largest-abandoned-shipment-of-illegal-toxic-waste-from-romania-idUSKCN24K0DK https://www.telegraaf.nl/nieuws/1275090890/maleisie-onderschept-1-8-miljoen-kilo-giftig-afval-uit-roemenie/?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=whatsapp
Case 7. Netherlands Title Gold worth millions of euros seized at recycling company in Limburg
Date 15-7-2020 Type of waste Metals (gold) (no confirmed relation with waste crime) Quantity/Value Hundreds of kilograms of gold (no confirmed relation with waste crime) Routes NA Type of crimes/ Modus Operandi
Unreported
Enforcement Action
Two company officials were arrested
Criminal organisation
The public prosecutor suspects the company of involvement in money laundering, forgery, possession of stolen property, and various environmental crimes. Two company officials were arrested.
Summary The Dutch authorities seized hundreds of kilograms of gold, worth millions of euros, during an investigation into a Limburg recycling company suspected of money laundering. Various other items were also found at the company, including a container filled with mortar grenades and old ammunition, the Public Prosecution Service (OM) said in a statement on Wednesday. Two people were arrested. The authorities searched the recycling company as well as three homes belonging to company officials. They found and seized hundreds of kilograms of gold, about 450 thousand euros in cash, three properties, cars including a Maserati, Ferrari and Porsche, and 17 expensive watches, including from the brands Rolex and Audemars Piguet. Various firearms and related ammunition were also seized.
For more information, please visit:
https://nltimes.nl/2020/07/15/hundreds-kilos-gold-seized-limburg-money-laundering-investigation https://www.nu.nl/binnenland/6064518/miljoenen-euros-aan-goud-in-beslag-genomen-bij-limburgs-recyclingbedrijf.html
Case 8. Belgium - France Title Unauthorized landfills, full of Belgian waste dumped illegally, pollute
French Lorraine
Date 25-6-2020 Type of waste rubber, household waste
Quantity/Value at least 780 tonnes
Waste Crime Alert WasteForce
22
Routes Anvers, Brecht in Belgium to villages in Lorraine, France Type of crimes/ Modus Operandi
Illegal export and disposal
Enforcement Action
French public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation for fraud in an organized group and criminal association. Another investigation is ongoing in Belgium.
Criminal organisation
Probable involvement of a criminal organisation
Summary Several hundred tons of rubble and other household waste were dumped illegally in a dozen villages in Lorraine by a Belgian transporter at the request of a customer, a Belgian waste collection centre which believed to send its cargoes of waste to a French waste sorting centre, managed by a Lyon company, whose director says not being aware of such an agreement and denies having issued the delivery notes that he considers falsified. All these players were put in touch by an intermediary who admits having earned between "200 and 220,000 euros" with this transport of waste but denies having falsified the order forms and claims to have been the victim of another intermediary.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.demotivateur.fr/article/des-centaines-de-tonnes-de-dechets-illegaux-provenant-de-belgique-deverses-a-la-frontiere-francaise-21470 https://www.consoglobe.com/trafic-de-dechets-belgique-france-cg
Case 9. Spain - Africa
Title 34 people arrested in Spain for illegal trafficking of electronic waste to Africa
Date 29-6-2020 Type of waste hazardous waste
Quantity/Value 138 shipments, and one stopped shipment of 2500 tonnes
Routes From Tenerife, Spain to Senegal, Ghana, Gambia, Togo, Benin, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.
Type of crimes/ Modus Operandi
Illegal shipment of waste
Enforcement Action
34 people arrested by European and Spanish police
Criminal organisation
African and European organised group
Summary 34 people mainly from Africa have been arrested by European and Spanish police for trafficking electronic waste to Africa. Between 2018 and 2019, 138 transfers of hazardous waste were carried out from Spain to Africa. According to the press release from the Spanish police, the network loaded in boat the waste and a 62-year-old Italian woman was responsible for transmitting the necessary documents to customs, falsifying certificates to make it appear that these devices were working perfectly.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.agenceecofin.com/actualites/2906-77986-34-personnes-arretees-en-espagne-pour-trafic-illegal-des-dechets-electroniques-a-destination-de-lafrique
Waste Crime Alert WasteForce
23
https://lanouvelletribune.info/2020/06/trafic-de-dechets-electroniques-vers-lafrique-34-personnes-arretees-en-espagne/
Case 10. Europe (mainly UK, Italy, Germany, France) to Turkey
Title Turkey, Europe's new trash for plastic waste that is supposed to be
recycled there
Date 27-5-2020
Type of waste Plastic waste
Quantity/ Value 582,000 tonnes in 2019
Routes Europe (mainly UK, Italy, Germany, France) to Turkey
Type of crimes/
Modus
Operandi
Not proven to be illegal shipment but lack of control
Enforcement
Action
NA
Criminal
organisation
NA
Summary The NGO Greenpeace warns of the exponential increase in exports of
European plastic waste to Turkey, and its consequences for the
environment.
For more
information,
please visit:
https://www.francetvinfo.fr/replay-radio/en-direct-du-monde/la-turquie-
nouvelle-poubelle-de-leurope-pour-les-dechets-plastiques-qui-sont-
censes-y-etre-recycles_3961483.html
Case 11. Romania – Malaysia – Indonesia
Title 1,800 tonnes of illegal toxic waste found abandoned in Malaysian port
Date 23-7-2020
Type of waste Electric Arc Furnace Dust (EAFD), classified as toxic waste under the Basel
Convention
Quantity/Value 110 containers containing 1,864 tonnes
Routes From Romania, transit and seizure in Malaysia, destination was Indonesia
Type of crimes/
Modus
Operandi
The Electric Arc Furnace Dust (toxic waste) was classified as concentrated
zinc in declaration forms
Enforcement
Action
The Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE) has contacted the
Romanian Basel Convention authority to arrange the repatriation of the
illegal waste shipment.
Criminal
organisation
Unreported
Waste Crime Alert WasteForce
24
Summary 110 containers of toxic electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) were found
abandoned at Malaysia’s Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) last month. The
discarded waste is of Romanian origin, and was bound for Indonesia,
entering the country illegally.
For more
information,
please visit:
https://resource.co/article/1800-tonnes-illegal-toxic-waste-found-
abandoned-malaysian-port
Case 12. Croatia – Italy - Africa
Title Control actions for cross-border shipments of waste in June
Date 2-7-2020
Type of waste waste tyres
Quantity/Value 13,2 tonnes
Routes From Croatia to Italy with as final destination Africa
Type of crimes/
Modus
Operandi
Illegal shipment of waste
Enforcement
Action
Repatriation of shipment to country of destination, penalty for person who
organized the shipment
Criminal
organisation
Unreported
Summary Illegal shipment of waste tyres (final destination was supposed to be Africa).
Repatriation and alternative recovery of waste was agreed together with
Croatian competent authority.
For more
information,
please visit:
https://www.gov.si/novice/2020-07-02-akcije-nadzora-cezmejnega-
posiljanja-odpadkov-v-mesecu-juniju/
Case 13. Slovenia to Italy
Title Control actions to prevent the negligent management of sanitary
waste, in order to prevent the spread of COVID 19 virus and other
diseases
Date 28-7-2020
Type of waste Non-listed waste
Quantity/ Value 20 tonnes
Routes Slovenia to Italy
Type of crimes/
Modus
Operandi
illegal shipment of waste
Enforcement
Action
Inspection and offence procedure pending
Waste Crime Alert WasteForce
25
Criminal
organisation
Unreported
Summary Illegal shipment of waste sent from Slovenia to Italy because of
inappropriate classification of waste (metals mixed with impurities such as
earth, rubber, plastic) and consequently incorrect use of the procedure for
cross-border shipment of waste.
For more
information,
please visit:
HTTPS://WWW.GOV.SI/NOVICE/2020-07-28-AKCIJE-NADZORA-ZA-
PREPRECEVANJE-MALOMARNEGA-RAVNANJA-S-SANITARNIMI-
ODPADKI-Z-NAMENOM-PREPRECITVE-SIRJENJA-VIRUSA-COVID-19-IN-
DRUGIH-BOLEZNI/
Case 14. Netherlands - Belgium
Title Order subject to penalty for Chemours to prevent a repeat EWSR
violation
Date 1-4-2020
Type of waste GenX waste
Routes The Netherlands to Belgium
Quantity/ Value Unreported
Type of crimes/
Modus
Operandi
Export without the correct permit
Criminal
organisation
One company
Enforcement
action
Order subject to a penalty
Summary A big chemical company has exported waste containing GenX to Belgium
without applying for a new permit. Last year the company also exported
GenX, while it should have had a separate permit not to contaminate other
shipments. Therefore the inspection authorities are imposing an order
subject to a penalty. This is a remedial sanction ordering a legal entity or
natural person to do or not do something. The decision to impose an order
subject to penalty specifies the deadline by which the offence or its
consequences must be remedied, also referred to as the "compliance
period". Failure to carry out the order or to carry it out by the specified
deadline creates an obligation to pay a sum of money, also referred to as
"forfeiture of a penalty".
For more
information,
please visit:
https://www.ilent.nl/onderwerpen/afvaltransport-
evoa/nieuws/2020/04/01/last-onder-dwangsom-voor-chemours-om-
herhaling-evoa-overtreding-te-voorkomen
Waste Crime Alert WasteForce
26
Case 15. Italy
Title Environment: illicit trafficking of 'luxury' waste, 8 people arrested
Date 18/6/20
Type of waste Naval waste (waste from luxury ships destroyed during a huge storm)
Routes na
Quantity/ Value 670 tons of untracked waste (from 435 destroyed ships)
Type of crimes/
Modus
Operandi
organized illicit activities for the illicit trafficking of waste, illicit competition,
threat and violent acts, attempted murder and illicit possession of firearms
Criminal
organisation
criminal group composed by entrepreneurs, lawyers and professionals in
the nautical sector
Enforcement
action
8 people arrested. Issued decree for preventive confiscation of 3.6 million
of EUR
Summary The criminal group, made by individuals and companies working in the
nautical sector, was responsible of organizing the transport, storage,
management and illicit disposal of waste coming from the disruption of 435
ships during a violent storm that took place in the region Liguria, in Italy,
back in october 2018. They had put in place a complex system of
management and disposal of illicit waste, gaining almost 3 millions euro. A
key role was played by a subject originally based in Naples, who involved
representatives of Camorra and Ndrangheta to manage the entire illicit
chain, with the final aim of penetrating the licit nautical sector in the north of
Italy.
For more
information,
please visit:
https://www.lasiritide.it/out.php?articolo=17737
Case 16. Italy
Title Waste, illicit trafficking discovered in Palermo. 5 people arrested,
employees from RAP were also involved
13/07/2020 13/07/2020
Type of waste Bulky waste coming from housing-relocations activities
Routes na
Quantity/ Value 1000 tons
Type of crimes/
Modus
Operandi
Illicit trafficking, treatment and disposal
Criminal
organisation
Two criminal groups - involvement of organized crime (Sicilian mafia) and
of public officers working in the waste collection/treatment municipal
company
Enforcement
action
5 people arrested, involvement of public workers from the waste-collection
company
Waste Crime Alert WasteForce
27
Summary The investigation started back in novemeber 2018, after a reporting of illicit
disposal of urban / bulky waste coming from relocation-related activities.
The police discovered a well organized activity of collection, transport,
treatment and finally illicit disposal of waste, hazardous and non-hazardous,
made by two different criminal groups. All the activities were conducted
without legal authorization, and the groups were able to use the dismantling
tools of a public company thanks to the connivance of three public workers
belonging to the company, now dismissed.
For more
information,
please visit:
https://palermo.repubblica.it/cronaca/2020/07/13/news/rifiuti_scoperto_traf
fico_illecito_a_palermo_arresti_e_sequestri-261786045/
Case 17. Spain
Title 44 people arrested for irregularities in the management of Covid-
related medical waste
Date 19/06/2020
Type of waste Medical waste
Quantity/Value na
Routes na
Enforcement
Action
500 inspections in companies in charge of medical waste: 184
administrative infractions in the management, transport and disposal of
medical waste, especially masks and gloves possibly infected by Covid
Type of crimes/
Modus
Operandi
Illicit management and disposal
Criminal
organisation
300 companies inspected by Guardia Civil
Summary The investigation activities were part of the biggest operation Retrovirus
coordinated by Europol. More than 500 inspections were conducted in
Spain by Guardia Civil, and 184 infractions have been reported with regard
to irregularities in the management, transport and disposal of medical waste
mainly related to the Covid pandemia. These infractions are both dangerous
for the pollution of the ecosystem and for the possible transmission of the
virus.
For more
information,
please visit:
https://www.elperiodico.com/es/sociedad/20200619/operacion-guardia-
civil-detenidos-irregularidades-empresas-gestion-residuos-sanitarios-
coronavirus-8006089
Waste Crime Alert WasteForce
28
Annex III: IGO Enforcement Actions Operation RETROVIRUS
Organisation EUROPOL, EnviCrimeNet and national authorities including the
Inspectorate of the Republic of Slovenia for the Environment and Spatial
Planning
Date 27-7-2020
Summary The joint RETROVIRUS operation is coordinated by EUROPOL in
cooperation with the EnviCrimeNet network. In addition to the
representatives of the Inspectorate for the Environment and Nature,
representatives of the FURS and the Police also participate in operational
joint inspections. Operation RETROVIRUS aims to prevent
"inappropriate" / illegal collection, transport, management and
management of sanitary waste (contrary to international, EU and national
legislation and international conventions) for activities against the spread
and treatment of the COVID epidemic 19.
Link https://www.gov.si/novice/2020-07-02-akcije-nadzora-cezmejnega-
posiljanja-odpadkov-v-mesecu-juniju/
Waste Crime Alert WasteForce
29
Annex IV: Videos and documentaries
Title Why is UK recycling being dumped by Turkish roadsides?
Organisatio
n
Basel Action Network
Type of
waste
Plastic
Date 26-6-2020
Summary An investigation by BBC News has found that some plastic waste from Britain (160,000 tonnes) sent to Turkey for recycling is instead being dumped and burned on the side of roads. The UK sends more plastic waste to Turkey than to any other country, but critics say the country doesn't have the capacity to recycle its own waste, let alone the tens of thousands of tonnes being sent from overseas.
Link https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-53181948/why-is-uk-recycling-being-
dumped-by-turkish-roadsides
Title Unauthorized landfills, full of Belgian waste dumped illegally, pollute
French Lorraine
Organisatio
n
France 2
Type of
waste
Rubber and household waste
Date 25-6-2020
Summary Several hundred tons of rubber and other household waste were dumped
illegally in a dozen villages in Lorraine by a Belgian transporter at the request
of a customer, a Belgian waste collection centre which believed to send its
cargoes of waste to a French waste sorting centre, managed by a Lyon
company, whose director says not being aware of such an agreement and
denies having issued the delivery notes that he considers falsified. All these
players were put in touch by an intermediary who admits having earned
between "200 and 220,000 euros" with this transport of waste but denies
having falsified the order forms and claims to have been the victim of another
intermediary.
Link https://www.demotivateur.fr/article/des-centaines-de-tonnes-de-dechets-
illegaux-provenant-de-belgique-deverses-a-la-frontiere-francaise-21470
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